Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Opens in San Antonio

The new, highly anticipated Tobin Center for the Performing Arts is considered a huge boon for the arts and culture scene in San Antonio, Texas! The city has been waiting years for an upscale, sophisticated venue of this size that can accommodate world-class acts.

The Tobin Center is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose venue with a 1,759-seat (2,100-seat, with flat-floor configuration) performance hall; a 250-seat studio theater; and an outdoor performance plaza connected to the river walk, with a permanent 30-foot video wall and water taxi portal. The building itself is an architectural accomplishment.

Inside the Tobin — Photo courtesy of Kimberly Suta

The remarkable flexibility of the 1,759-seat H-E-B Performance Hall, with its distinctive flat-floor capability, opens the door for performances and events of all kinds. The acoustics in the hall can be tuned to accommodate the varied performances.

Plus, the physical set-up of the hall and the sound insulation throughout the Tobin Center enable simultaneous use of the Performance Hall, the 250-seat Studio Theater and the 600-seat River Walk Plaza.

The Tobin is situated along the banks of the river walk and within walking distance of some of the city's finest hotels, such as the Havana Hotel and Tropicana, as well as San Antonio's enchilada-colored library and many fantastic restaurants.

What was once a historic Municipal Auditorium, with its original facade preserved, has been transformed into an incredible venue that will be a huge draw for acts of all kinds, from opera to music to A-list comedians and speakers.

The Tobin Center in San Antonio — Photo courtesy of Kimberly Suta

In 2015, a wide variety of stellar acts and performers can be seen at the Tobin, including the San Antonio Symphony, Branford Marsalis, The Australian Bee Gees, Arlo Guthrie, Lisa Lampanelli, The San Antonio Ballet, The Peking Acrobats, Shen Yun, Petrushka, Alton Brown, Deepak Chopra, Tchaikovsky, Peer Gynt, Neil Degrasse Tyson and so much more!

This theatrical icon has once again become the pride of San Antonio and a glimmering beacon of ingenuity, fine art and even education. The Tobin provides specialized educational opportunities for school children, too, allowing them to be exposed to arts and culture at an early age.

The city is already building events around this gorgeous, desperately needed venue, such as the popular annual Luminaria arts night event, which features local and international artists and musicians.

Kimberly Suta is a lover of all things arts- and culture-related. In fact, she has produced arts documentaries for PBS' ARTS program, which airs on Friday nights. For more info, go to bunnyhatproductions.com.